Socket & See MFT5000 User manual

2 YEAR
MFT5000
multifunction installation tester
Optional
personalised
splash screen
Instruction Manual & Specification
SAS014v1

Introduction
The Socket and See MFT5000 Multifunction Installation Tester has been designed and
built to the highest standards providing you with a safe and simple solution to your test
requirements.
The MFT5000 tester is used to verify the safety of Commercial, Domestic and
Industrial installations. All testing is required to meet BS7671. The MFT5000 covers all
aspects of these requirements with ease of use and safety in mind.
Conformance with Standards
This tester complies with all the latest UK and European regulations.
This tester has been tested according to the following regulations:
BS EN 61010-2-030:2010 - Safety requirements for electrical equipment for
measurement, control and laboratory use. Particular requirements for testing
and measuring circuits.
BS EN 61326-2-2:2013 - Electrical equipment for measurement, control and
laboratory use. Particular requirements for portable test, measuring and
monitoring equipment used in low-voltage distribution systems.
BS EN 61557:2007 - Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to
1000V AC. and 1500V DC. Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of
protective measures.
• Part 1 : General Requirements
• Part 2: Insulation Requirements
• Part 3: Loop Requirements
• Part 4: Continuity Requirements
• Part 6: RCD Requirements
• Part 7: Phase Rotation Requirements
• Part 10: Multifunction Requirements
1

Marking Explanations
Warning! Refer to manual.
Caution! Voltage present. Risk of Electric Shock.
Earth
Double Insulation
This instrument should be recycled as electronic waste.
User accessible fuse in battery compartment - F0.5A, 500V, HRC 6.3 x 32mm
Prohibited to use for the Electrical System which uses the voltage above 550V.
Conformity to European Standards
CAT III/CAT IV
CAT III Testers are designed to protect against transients and fault
currents in fixed equipment installations at the distribution level. Exam
ples are measurements on distribution boards and socket wiring.
CAT IV Testers are designed to protect against transients and fault currents
from the primary supply level (overhead or underground utility service).
Examples are measurements made before the main fuse or circuit breaker.
Warnings
Read Before Using
• To maintain operator safety use only specified accessories.
• When working on live circuits, use of a proving unit such as the
Socket & See SP400 is recommended to establish correct function
of the tester.
• If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection by the equipment may be impaired.
• Disconnect from external circuits before removing battery cover.
• Inspect the tester and accessories for damage before use and do
not use if damage is found.
!
!
!>550 V
2

Safety
See page 2 for a list of symbols used on the product and in this manual.
A Warning identifies hazardous conditions and actions that could cause bodily harm or
death.
A Caution identifies conditions and actions that could damage the instrument or cause
permanent loss of data.
Warnings: Read Before Using
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal injury:
• Use the product only as specified, or the protection supplied by
the product can be compromised.
• Do not use the product around explosive gas, vapour or in damp or
wet environments.
• Do not use test leads if they are damaged. Examine the test leads
for damaged insulation, exposed metal, or if the wear indicator
shows. Check test lead continuity.
• Use only approved accessories such as test leads etc supplied with
the instrument. Part numbers of replacement leads on pg 4
• Do not use the product if it is damaged.
• To be repaired by Socket & See authorised agents only.
• Do not apply more than the rated voltage between the terminals or
between each terminal and earth ground.
• Remove test leads from the tester before battery cover is removed.
• Do not operate the product with covers removed or the case open.
Hazardous voltage exposure is possible.
• Use only specified replacement fuse. Fuse type F0.5A, 500V, HRC
6.3 x 32mm
• Keep fingers behind the finger guards on the probes at all times.
• Connect the common test lead before the live test lead and
remove the live test lead before the common test lead.
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (approved rubber gloves, face
protection, and flame-resistant clothes) to prevent shock and arc
blast injury where hazardous live conductors are exposed.
!
3

Unpacking the Tester
Your Socket & See Multifunction Tester comes complete with:
Description Part No Qty
Multifunction Tester Socket & See MFT5000 1
Instruction Manual 1
3 Wire Split Lead Socket & See DLM PRO LEAD 1
Assembly with Probes +
Crocodile Clips Brown/Blue/Green
13 Amp Mains Lead to 4mm Socket & See PRO LEAD 1
Connections Brown/Blue/Green
Remote Switch Probe Socket & See RSP 1
AA LR6 Alkaline Battery 6
Heavy Duty Carry Case Socket & See MFT CASE 1
Neck Strap Socket & See MFT STRAP 1
Certificate of Calibration 1
Warranty Registration Card (terms of 3 year warranty on pg 34)
All the parts listed above are included in the carry case.
4

Operating the Socket & See MFT5000
To insert batteries ensure the instrument is switched o and no test leads are connected.
Remove battery cover from base of unit, insert batteries into holder ensuring correct
polarity.
Replace cover.
Always use good quality LR6 AA Alkaline Batteries.
Re-chargeable batteries are not suitable.
Battery power level indicated on the colour display by the symbol.
Please dispose of your batteries carefully.
Batteries are made from important resources and chemicals, including lead, cadmium,
zinc, lithium and mercury. If batteries are disposed of as normal waste, they'll be taken to
a landfill site and those resources will be lost and will contribute to the pollution of the
environment. Recycling is one way you can help the environment and you should dispose
of used batteries separately from other waste, using local collection
and recycling schemes available.
100%
75%
50%
25%
5

Overview
Front panel and controls
Top View
6

Operating the Socket & See MFT5000
All Test Functions are selected by using the main rotary switch.
1. Power o
2. Socket/Polarity Test
3. No Trip Earth Loop Impedance Test
4. High Current Earth Loop Impedance Test
5. 30mA Auto Sequence Type G RCD Test
6. 30mA RCD Test (Manual) Type AC/A
7. 100mA RCD Test (Manual) Type AC/A
8. 300mA RCD Test (Manual) Type AC/A
9. 500mA RCD Test (Manual) Type AC/A
10. 100mA RCD Test (Manual) Type ACS/AS
11. 300mA RCD Test (Manual) Type ACS/AS
12. Phase Rotation Test
13. 1000V Insulation/Resistance Test
14. 500V Insulation/Resistance Test
15. 250V Insulation/Resistance Test
16. Continuity Test
12
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
7

Operating the Socket & See MFT5000
Push Buttons
1. Test Button - Initiates all selected tests
2. Handsfree - Handsfree function for Continuity, Insulation & Loop
3. PFC/Loop/RCD Recall - Prospective fault current value after Loop Test Result
lists the last set of RCD Test Data from an Auto Test
4. RCD Multiplier - Toggles RCD Multiplier value
5. RCD AC/A/Continuity Null - Nulls the Resistance Value from the Test Leads in use /
Toggles between type A/AC RCD
6. Polarity Test Pad - Unique safety function ensuring correct mains polarity
Auto power o function
To ensure long battery life the MFT5000 will automatically power o when standing idle for
3 minutes. To power the MFT5000 either return the selector switch to “OFF” and then back
to the test selection or simply press any of the four buttons under the display screen.
1
2 3 4 5
6
8

BROWN vΩ
CIRCUIT
RESISTANCE
GREEN (COM)METER
RESISTANCE
BATTERY v
A
Test and Measurement Functions
Continuity
Caution
Principal of Measurement.
During continuity measurement current flows from battery positive through the Brown
(VΩ) lead, external circuit resistance, Green (COM) lead, meter resistance and finally
back to the battery negative.
The current and voltage are measured as shown and the external resistance calculated.
When the leads have previously been nulled, their resistance is subtracted before
displaying the reading.
The purpose of Continuity Testing is to establish the resistance of the circuit under test.
Test Procedure
Insert the brown test lead into the brown input terminal & the blue test lead into the
green terminal.
The brown test lead can be substituted by using the red remote test probe supplied.
This allows remote activation of the MFT5000 from the safety of the test probe ensur-
ing that you are always looking at the point of contact and not the MFT5000.
!
1. Test Button - Initiates all selected tests
2. Handsfree - Handsfree function for Continuity, Insulation & Loop
3. PFC/Loop/RCD Recall - Prospective fault current value after Loop Test Result
lists the last set of RCD Test Data from an Auto Test
4. RCD Multiplier - Toggles RCD Multiplier value
5. RCD AC/A/Continuity Null - Nulls the Resistance Value from the Test Leads in use /
Toggles between type A/AC RCD
6. Polarity Test Pad - Unique safety function ensuring correct mains polarity
Auto power o function
To ensure long battery life the MFT5000 will automatically power o when standing idle for
3 minutes. To power the MFT5000 either return the selector switch to “OFF” and then back
to the test selection or simply press any of the four buttons under the display screen.
9

Select continuity on the rotary switch.
Lead Nulling
Test Leads are nulled to ensure accurate resistance values of circuit under test. To
achieve this you must null the resistance of the leads in use. Using the croc clips
connect the open ends of the test leads together firmly ensuring a good connection,
then press continuity null button, the instrument will display the resistance value of the
test leads, then press the test button, the display will then show 0.00Ωand your test
leads are successfully nulled. The word Null will appear on the display.
If inserting new or dierent length leads you must repeat process above.
NOTE: Nulled results will be stored until user reset. To reset simply leave the
MFT5000 in continuity mode and open circuit i.e. do not have leads connected. Then
press NULL this will then remove the null function.
The Socket & See MFT5000 is now correctly set up to perform continuity testing on a
circuit.
You can also set up your Socket & See MFT5000 to be used in Handsfree mode on
continuity by simply pressing the 'Handsfree' button and then pressing test. Handsfree
will flash at the top of the screen to indicate you are on Handsfree mode. To deactivate
simply press the ‘Handsfree’ button again.
Before Null After Null
IMPORTANT: When connecting the croc clips they must be connected as diagram shown
this ensures that the best point of contact is made to give the most accurate resistance
value of the leads that will be used for testing
10

Insulation
Caution
Measurements shall only be carried out on de-energized circuits.
If the tester is connected to a live circuit (25V or greater), the LED will flash red and the
hazard buzzer will sound. Your Socket & See MFT5000 is fully protected but measured
RMS voltage will be displayed on the secondary/lower display. Further testing after this
point will be inhibited. To resume testing, disconnect the test leads and isolate the
circuit.
All equipment and appliances should be disconnected from the circuit under test.
Attached equipment may be damaged by the higher voltages applied during testing and
may return an artificially low test result.
There may be capacitance on the circuit being tested. Your tester will automatically
discharge this but do not disconnect the test leads or change tester function until
auto-discharge has completed.
Warning
Do not touch the ends of the test leads while on the Insulation test functions as they are
energised.
Results of measurements can be adversely aected by impedances of additional
operating circuits connected in parallel or by transient currents.
Principle of Measurement
During insulation measurement the tester generates a high voltage internally. The positive
side of this is connected to Brown (VΩ) lead causing a very small current to flow through
the external insulation resistance, Green (COM) lead, meter resistance and finally back to
the negative side of the HV generator.
The current and voltage are measured as shown and the external resistance calculated and
displayed.
!
!
RE
GREEN (COM)METER RESISTANCE
BROWN VΩ
v
HV
A
11

Test Procedure
Insert the brown test lead into the brown input terminal & the blue test lead into the
green terminal.
When test is activated the red Voltage/Polarity will flash warning there is voltage on the
leads and circuit under Test.
Select insulation on the rotary switch either 250V, 500V, 1000V setting as required.
Connect the brown test lead to the phase conductor and the blue test lead to the other
conductor under test and press the test button.
Press the test button, the tester will beep indicating voltage output through the test
leads and the circuit under test. The display will indicate output voltage then display
the result of test in MΩ. 0V output will indicate if finished and voltage present.
Example Screens
The brown test lead can be substituted by using the red remote test probe supplied. This
allows remote activation of the MFT5000 from the safety of the test probe ensuring that
you are always looking at the point of contact and not the MFT5000.
12

Handsfree
Handsfree Insulation Testing.
To enable the Handsfree feature simply press the ‘Handsfree’ button once, The ‘Handsfree’
annunciator will appear flashing on the display and will continue to do so until cancelled
by a further press of the 'Handsfree' button or by changing the function selector switch.
When the ‘Handsfree’ annunciator is flashing a single press of the test button will toggle
continuous testing on and o.
Once started a steady beeping tone will be emitted to indicate that measurement is being
taken. After a second or two the test result will be displayed in the primary display area
and an audible tone will indicate either by a single beep that the result is a value above
2MΩor by a short 2 tone alarm that the result is a value under 2MΩ. The secondary
display area will show the terminal voltage being applied.
The tester will continue to take the measurement and any further change to the resistance
of the circuit will be indicated by an audible tone as described above and a change of
result on the display.
Whilst testing in handsfree mode the red warning LED will flash to warn of the voltage
between the prod tips/crocodile clips.
A further single press of the test button will suspend measurement.
13

Socket Testing
The MFT5000 has a unique feature for testing sockets.
Switch the Rotary Dial to socket, insert the 13A test leads BLUE, GREEN and BROWN into
the tester terminals.
Plug the 13AMP plug into the socket under test.
If no voltage present the
above will be displayed.
If voltage is present and wiring is
correct the above will be displayed.
Correct wiring is indicated by a tick
in each of the phase colours.
NOTE: A thumb should cover the Polarity Test Pad while the socket test is conducted to
correctly diagnose a fault.
If there is incorrect wireing one of the following screens will be displayed.
Reversed Live/Earth
Missing Neutral
Missing Earth
Reverse Polarity
14

FUSE 100A
FUSE 100A
CORRECT POLARITY
Polarity Test Pad
Your Socket & See MFT5000 tester has a special polarity test function.
It is a little known fact that a system can be reverse wired with Live (Phase) to
earth/neutral and earth/neutral to Live (Phase) The sockets will all work and
conventional loop testers will show and test that everything is correct despite
this very dangerous wiring condition.
Although extremely rare, this dangerous condition can exist so if your test shows
this fault do not proceed - if in any doubt advise your customer to contact their
supply company immediately.
Touch the touchpad area next to the test button. There should be no change in the
indication given. If the Voltage/Polarity LED flashes Red and a warning tone is emitted
when the touchpad is touched a potentially dangerous polarity reversal exists. Do not
proceed. If in any doubt advise the customer to contact the electricity supply
company immediately.
L
I
VE
N
EU
T
R
A
L
Supply
Supply
Reverse
N
E
UT
R
A
L
L
I
VE
Live to meter
Live to meter
Neutral to meter
Neutral to meter
To main earth terminal
To main earth terminal
Brass connecting to block
Brass connecting to block
15

BROWN
GREEN (PE)
v
Loop Impedance Testing
Principle of Measurement
ZI
Hi-I Line-Earth Loop Measurement Place in several steps:
a) The tester measures an unloaded half-cycle of the mains.
b) The tester switches in load RL. This causes the main circuit to be slightly attenvated
due to the eective source impedance.
c) The tester measures a second half-cycle with the main still loaded.
d) The load is removed.
The resistive part of ZI is calculated from the unloaded and loaded half-cycle measurements.
Each pair of measurements is taken adjacently to minimize noise and several such pairs may be
used for best accuracy.
The inductive part of the ZI is calcualted from unloaded and loaded half-cycle durations. Any
inductance causes a measurable lag in the loaded half-cycle.
NOTE: When testing on a supply with inductance exceeding 1mH or phase angle exceeding 30°
accuracy may be reduced.
VLE
T 2T 3T
T= 1/(2F)
16

ZL BROWN
RN BLUE (N)
RK
RE
GREEN (PE)
RK
v
In the first stage the Live-Neutral loop impedance ZLN is measured using the same
principle as for Live-Earth loop.
The second stage is similar to Hi-I but operates at a low current to avoid tripping
RCDs
Caution
Although fully protected against over voltage to 550VAC this tester should only be
used on a 230V supply.
Important note for calibration check box users: The smart loop test system used by
the Socket & See MFT5000 is immune to sudden high value changes such as voltage
spikes. As a result when changing calibration or check box loop values the tester or
the supply must be switched o between changes of calibration values.
Loop Impedance Testing
Principle of Measurement – No-Trip
The No-Trip Line-Earth loop range measures the same circuit value ZI using a two-stage
technique.
!
T 2T 3T
17

The Socket & See MFT5000 Loop test function has 2 modes for Loop testing that allow
the user to conduct the most accurate test possible whether or not the circuit under test
is protected by an RCD.
Intermittent Operation
The Socket & See MFT5000 is designed for a large number of loop tests in rapid
succession. In the unlikely condition this limit is exceeded a thermometer will be shown
on the display until the unit cools down. Testing will be inhibited while the thermometer
is shown.
Mains Supply Wiring and Voltage Test
When first connected to a mains supply the Socket & See MFT5000 will automatically
conduct a safety test to ensure that the Live, Neutral and Earth conductors are all
connected correctly and that the supply voltage is in the acceptable range (207-230V)
If all is well the VOLTAGE/POLARITY warning LED will light Green and the supply
voltage will be displayed in the primary display area.
In the event of a problem with either the mains voltage supply or reversed connections
the VOLTAGE/POLARITY warning LED will light Red, a warning tone will be sounded
and testing will be inhibited.
This condition will be indicated for you safety.
18

Loop Test Procedures
Handsfree Loop Testing
The Handsfree feature can be used in either No Trip or high current test modes.
To enable the Handsfree feature simply press ‘Handsfree’ button once, the
‘Handsfree’ annunciator will appear flashing on the display and will continue to do so
until cancelled by a further press of the ‘Handsfree’ button or by changing the
function selector switch.
When the ‘Handsfree’ annunciator is flashing all you need to do is connect the test
lead to a mains supply and the test will be carried out.
High Current Mode
For Ze testing at the distribution board or at any point upstream of RCD protection
there is a traditional fast high current test mode. The high current mode is a 2-wire
test that enables the user to test the true impedance of both the Line-Neutral Loop
and the Line-Earth loop and therefore to establish both the PSC (prospective short
circuit current) and the PFC (prospective fault current) for the installation.
Unlike most testers that only measure the resistance of the Loop, the high current
mode of the Socket & See MFT5000 will measure the impedance of the Loop which
includes an element of reactance. This can be significant where the distribution
board is close to the mains supply transformer and is therefore much more accurate
than older Loop testing techniques.
You should be aware that because of this there may well be variations in reading
compared to ordinary loop testers or to the non-trip function of this tester,
particularly when the measurement is made near to the mains supply transformer.
No Trip Mode
For Zs testing where the circuit being tested is protected by an RCD there is the No
Trip Loop Test mode. In this mode testing can be made at sockets on the final circuit
without fear of tripping the RCD under normal circumstances.
This is achieved by testing at a current that is too low to trip an RCD on an otherwise
healthy circuit. The No Trip test is a 3-wire test that also checks the Live,
Neutral/Earth conductors are correctly connected before running the loop test.
Note- if there is abnormal standing leakage current on the circuit such as a faulty
Microwave Cooker for example then this abnormal leakage is added to low current
used for the above test and the RCD may trip.
However this can be seen as an advantage since it is pointing to a faulty appliance
that should be rectified or replaced.
19